7 by Jen Hatmaker

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker. I finished this book yesterday. The author lives in Austin, Texas with her husband who's a pastor and 5 kids (two were adopted from Ethiopia). This book is her personal journal from months of challenging herself and family to take a closer look at their possessions and consumption by extreme reduction. She did each challenge for a month -- clothes, spending, waste, food, possessions, media and stress. It's called seven because she limited the items in the challenge to 7. Like wearing 7 items of clothing, 7 items of food, 7 stores to spend at, etc.

It is extreme and sometimes that is what is required to realize how much we have, how much we can do without, and ironically how richer life would be with less. It is essentially a fast from things so that in the freed up space, the quieter but more important things are seen. Spiritual truths are revealed.

The author shared funny stories and failures but she stuck with it and her realizations are both practical and profound. This is basically a story of faith and going back to the basics of what it means to be a Christian, like caring for people in need. The church needs to be the heart and hands of God in this world.

What I take away from this book is to be more mindful about possessions, to examine my choices more, and to strive to be a better steward of things in my care.